Ask Benny: Other ways to avoid being an obvious foreigner
Feb 5, 2024
auto_awesome
Discover practical tips to blend in while speaking Portuguese in Brazil, focusing on the nuances between spoken and written language. Learn how awkward formal expressions can lead to social faux pas, illustrated by a personal anecdote about a toll mishap. Dive into the essential elements of pronunciation and rhythm that can help you sound more natural. Engaging with native speakers is emphasized as a key strategy for overcoming cultural barriers and enhancing social integration.
Understanding colloquial phrases and their differences from formal written language is essential to blend in naturally while speaking a foreign language.
Receiving feedback from native speakers significantly aids in improving spoken language skills, bridging the gap between grammatical accuracy and fluent conversation.
Deep dives
Blending In Through Language
Blending in while speaking a foreign language is crucial for both social interaction and personal safety. Emphasizing this point, the speaker highlights personal experiences in Brazil, where speaking Portuguese in a way that sounds natural rather than overly formal is essential. A significant takeaway is that common phrases in written Portuguese differ from their spoken counterparts, such as using 'fies' rather than the formal 'ha' to mean 'ago.' This distinction underscores the importance of understanding colloquial usage to avoid sounding like a non-native speaker.
Feedback from Native Speakers
Feedback from native speakers is vital for improving spoken language skills and sounding less foreign. The speaker discusses how native Brazilians provided insights on the nuances of Portuguese that are not apparent through traditional learning methods focused solely on reading. This highlights the gap between written correctness and natural spoken language, emphasizing that grammatical accuracy doesn't always equate to fluent speech. Consequently, learners should actively seek constructive criticism to refine their conversational skills, as this can significantly enhance their ability to engage with locals and navigate new environments.
Benny Lewis discusses strategies to avoid standing out as an obvious foreigner when speaking a new language, drawing from his experiences in Brazil. Academic choices of written words, like or simply saying things that are just illogical, can make you stand out more.